The Cultural Attache at the Embassy of the State of Qatar to the United States, Nasser Mohammed Al Nuaimi, emphasizes the comprehensive support provided to Qatari students studying in the US. The Cultural Office oversees academic and research affairs, as well as the professional and academic development of students and professionals. Al Nuaimi highlights the importance of educational, cultural, and healthcare cooperation between Qatar and the US, and efforts to enhance collaboration in these areas. The Cultural Office, under the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, serves as Qatar’s representative in the US, coordinating with government entities interested in cultural and educational activities in the US.
Currently, the number of Qatari students sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Qatar University is 180, with an additional eight students joining from QatarEnergy this year. There are intentions to increase the number of Qatari students studying in the US. The Ministries of Defence and Interior are responsible for handling the affairs of their students, but the Cultural Office maintains regular contact with students, with academic advisors checking on their progress and well-being biweekly. The office provides necessary support to help students acclimate, build relationships with them, and address any academic challenges they may face, especially during their initial adjustment period in the US.
Qatari students are primarily concentrated in states like Washington D.C., Virginia, New York, and Maryland, with a focus on enrolling them in high-quality universities. Al Nuaimi mentions various collaborations between the US and Qatar in education, such as a program sponsored by the US Department of State that supports the recruitment of academic lecturers from Qatar. This program covers expenses for pursuing advanced degrees at participating universities and offers teaching opportunities for individuals in advanced academic stages. Other educational cooperation initiatives include partnerships between universities in Qatar, such as Qatar University, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Lusail University, and Doha University of Science and Technology.
In terms of academic specializations, Al Nuaimi highlights a new scholarship plan and strategy launched by the Ministry of Education in January. He also mentions a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Harvard University to train teachers through a one-year course in a specific field, including a 15-day training period to acquire new expertise. The ongoing efforts to enhance educational cooperation between Qatar and the US reflect the commitment to supporting Qatari students studying abroad and fostering mutual understanding and knowledge exchange between the two countries.
